115 Ambitions Across the World

Long Hanchun sighed as well, saying, "Oh, child, you really ought to have some self-awareness. Just think about it: so many scions of prestigious martial arts families and such outstanding young heroes in the world today wish to marry my Ninth Sister, yet she has no interest in any of them! How could a mediocre, penniless stray like you truly capture her heart? If she really cared for you, why would she abandon you to attend to other matters? It is clear that you are not as important to her as the business she is tending to."

Long Feifeng added, "Bitter medicine is often the most effective. I will tell you the truth: the Ninth Lady’s behavior toward you these past few days was merely like a master teasing a puppy. If you lack the sense to know your place, you may find your life in jeopardy at any moment."

Xiao Yun’er could no longer contain himself and shouted, "You’re full of nonsense! The Ninth Lady is sincere! Stop tormenting this poor boy—let’s go."

The Matriarch understood that she would get nothing further out of Xiao Yun’er. With Xiao Hong and Xiao Jing present at the Ruyi Restaurant, they could not resort to forceful measures. Now, with Hanchun and Feifeng’s biting ridicule, she believed the boy would be too ashamed to linger, and her plan to force him away from the Ninth Lady was nearing completion. Thus, the Matriarch departed with Hanchun and Feifeng.

Dazed and confused by their words, Xiao Yun’er stood still for a long while. Only after they had left did he mutter to himself, "Who is the poor one? You old crone are the one who is poor!"

Regardless, Xiao Yun no longer had the courage to remain in the restaurant. He decided to find Qu and Chu to discuss his situation, hoping they would take him with them.

When the two men heard that Xiao Yun wanted to leave, they were somewhat surprised. After listening to his account of what had happened, Chu Xiaoyu consoled him, "Good brother, do not be sad. Regardless of whether the Ninth Lady is sincere or not, a man’s ambitions should lie in the vast world. Young Master Yun, you cannot spend your whole life living in a woman’s embrace! A man who relies on a woman for his keep is nothing but a pathetic creature."

Xiao Yun’er blinked, puzzled. "What do you mean by 'relying on a woman'? Isn't the food a man eats usually prepared by a woman? What is wrong with that?"

Qu and Chu were stunned, then realized he did not understand the idiom. They could not help but burst into laughter.

Qu Buping chuckled mockingly, "If you think it's fine, then stay here. Chu and I are planning to leave. We have no interest in the Ninth Lady, and everyone else in this restaurant only tolerates you for her sake; otherwise, you would have been beaten to a pulp long ago."

With Qu and Chu leaving, staying behind felt even more pointless to Xiao Yun’er. He pleaded, "Brothers, you must take me with you when you go."

Chu Xiaoyu replied, "Very well. If you are willing, I will take you. It is no problem."

Qu Buping, however, objected, "That won't do."

"Why not?" asked Chu Xiaoyu.

Qu Buping replied, "If Xiao Yun’s wife finds out we took him, she will demand we return him. When she gets angry, our lives will be finished."

Xiao Yun’er quickly interjected, "Maybe my wife won't—"

Chu Xiaoyu interrupted, "Brother, we cannot stand by and watch him die; we cannot just leave him behind."

Qu Buping laughed, "Fine, fine! But Young Master Yun, you must bring plenty of silver from the treasury. Without money, we won't be able to take a single step."

Xiao Yun’er realized that the scoundrel Qu Buping was intentionally making things difficult to force him to bring more money. He couldn't help but curse, "You bastard, you could have just asked for money without all this fuss! You money-grubbing wretch."

Chu Xiaoyu laughed, "You’re wrong. He’s a 'money-over-life' wretch. Young Master Qu must have been a great miser in his past life, and now he is obsessed with poverty. He demands money for everything, or he wouldn't even give his own father the time of day."

Qu Buping retorted, "What kind of talk is that? I am thinking of all of us! This silver belongs to Xiao Yun’s wife; since Xiao Yun doesn't mind, why are you so concerned, Young Master Chu?"

Xiao Yun’er smiled, "Alright, truthfully, I have no money. All the silver is kept by Xiao Hong or Xiao Jing. If we want money, we have to steal it from them, but I have never stolen anything before. What am I to do?"

Qu Buping chuckled, "Don't worry, everyone encounters a first time. Let me teach you a beginner’s trick: before you enter a room to steal, apply some oil to the door hinges so the door opens without a sound. Understand?"

Chu Xiaoyu laughed, "That’s wrong. I never had such trouble when I stole things. When I took the flute from the Young Miss of the Ying family, I just climbed through the window..."

Xiao Yun and Qu Buping asked in unison, "And the result?"

Chu Xiaoyu mumbled, "The result? Naturally, I was caught by the Young Miss of the Ying family... You idiots, couldn't you have guessed that?"

Qu Buping laughed, "I thought as much. If you don't use my method, you're bound to be caught by the owner and beaten half to death, right?"